Soups and Stews

Brodo

Ingredients 3 lb beef (top blade chuck or shank) One 3- to 4-lb chicken 3 medium yellow onions 3 carrots 3 celery stalks 3 fresh or canned plum tomatoes 1 sachet containing 3 whole cloves, 8 black peppercorns, 2 bay leaves, 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, and 3 thyme sprigs […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Can I Freeze This? Tips for Stocking your Freezer

One of the most frequently asked questions from guests at our CIA campuses is: “Can I freeze this?” And it’s a good question! After all, no matter how much you like to cook, there are some days that having a back-up dinner ready to go can be a life-saver. You’ll […]

Soups and Stews

Chicken Broth

Makes 2 1/2 quarts broth Ingredients 4 lb stewing hen parts, including backs and necks 3 qt cold water, plus more as needed 1 large yellow onion, cut into medium dice 1 celery stalk, cut into medium dice 1 carrot, cut into medium dice 5 black peppercorns, cracked 4 parsley […]

Free Recipes, Side Dishes

Curried Cauliflower “Couscous”

Try adding an extra serving of vegetables to any meal with some curried cauliflower couscous. This makes a great make ahead side dish for meal prepping. Makes 4 servings 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. 2. Break the cauliflower into florets, slicing the larger florets in half. Toss the cauliflower […]

Chef's Blog

Keep Cool in the Kitchen

It is very hot. And while that may not be breaking news, I am here with the headline: Sometimes, Even Chefs Can’t Stand the Heat! That doesn’t mean we’re going to get out of the kitchen (never!), but you might find us changing the way we cook and eat for […]

Chef's Blog

Kid-Friendly Lunch Recipe for Back to School

Back-to-school was always my favorite season. I was never a summer kid, and heading back to the classroom meant cooler weather, new Lisa Frank school supplies, and school friends! Since the day I learned how, I don’t think I have stopped talking. At home I had three older brothers who […]

Chef's Blog

Meal Prep Time Savers

Starting a new cooking routine doesn’t have to be daunting, and accepting your limitations for time, space, budget, and skill is the first step to creating a realistic strategy. At the CIA, we think food is fun, so we make a lot of our ingredients at home, but that doesn’t […]

Chef's Blog

Meal Prep: Chickpeas

Sundays are all about relaxing at home and prepping for the week ahead. A lot of us have a go-to meal prep routine that includes cooking a bunch of protein, steaming veggies, or constructing a salad, and finishing with some sort of dessert. Did you know that you can use […]

Chef's Blog, Salads, Side Dishes

Meal Prep: Grain Salad

It’s that time of the week again when we have to start thinking about the meals to come for the week. We think that Sunday is the perfect day to batch cook a few simple dishes and ingredients to make the work week go by smoother. Today we are talking […]

Chef's Blog

Meal Prep: Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a staple in most of our weekly routines. Something about putting together a sandwich brings comfort and nostalgia to some and dread to others. Sandwiches are as easy as putting an ingredient between bread to as elaborate as chopping, slicing, spreading, toasting, grilling, baking and even frying! What […]

Side Dishes

Mixed Grain Pilaf

Makes 6 cups, approximately 10 to 12 servings This pilaf is delicious, but neutral flavored, making it a great mix-and-match meal prep recipe. Eat at as a hot side dish, chilled and sprinkled over green salads, or mixed with leftover meats and veggies to stuff peppers or eggplant. Ingredients 2 […]

Allergen Friendly, Main Dishes

Roasted Veggie Fajita Bowls

Makes 4 servings These bowls are endlessly customizable for a quick and filling weeknight dinner. Add thinly sliced raw chicken breast to the veggie mixture before cooking or top the bowls with leftover chili or pulled pork. Drizzle with pico de gallo, sour cream, or a sprinkle of shredded cheese […]